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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN LAAC 2024/03/05 (2022-2024)Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions 23`'d Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii March 5, 2024 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions ORDER: was called to order at 9:00 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Vice Chair Ms. Cindy Evans, Member Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member (via videoconference from Kona) Absent & Excused: Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: (There were none.) ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, RESOLUTIONS: Order of Resolutions. Res. 442-24: AUTHORIZES THE ACCEPTANCE OF A QUITCLAIM OF REAL PROPERTY, DESCRIBED AS REMNANT ROAD RESERVE, PARCEL A, BEING A PORTION OF TAX MAP KEY NO. 7-5-006-034 AND CONTAINING AN AREA OF 1,794 SQUARE FEET, SITUATED AT LANIHAU 2ND, KAILUA, NORTH KONA, ISLAND OF HAWAI`I, FROM THE STATE OF HAWAI`I, BY ITS BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES The County seeks to utilize the parcel for public parking. Reference: Comm.742 Intr. by: Mr. Inaba (B/R) LAAC-23 March 5, 2024 Motion to Approve: Ms. Kimball moved to recommend adoption of Res. 442-24. Seconded by Ms. Galimba. CHR. INABA: This morning we have Director (Stephen) Pause and Deputy Corporation Counsel Sinclair (Salas-Ferguson) here in Hilo Chambers. Director, would you like to give us an overview of this request? (Note: At this time, Public Works Director Stephen Pause came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. PAUSE: Yes. Good morning. Steve Pause, Director of Public Works. If you don't mind, I'll approach. CHR. INABA: The Director is providing us with just a satellite imagery of the map that is contained within Exhibit B of our resolution just showing the exact location of this parcel. MR. PAUSE: Thank you. So, my understanding is this property is presently owned by DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources) and they're going to quitclaim give it to the County. It represents 14 parking spaces that are on Likana Lane and the road itself is actually a County road. I'm not quite sure the history of how it came to be that there were parking spaces adjacent to the County road, but this is just a bit of a clean-up. Obviously, they're parking spaces, we'll take the parking spaces. And in concert with the parking lot across the street would be a good thing for the County. And if I may add, also Public Works is in the process of planning to upgrade that parking lot to make it ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible, and we're also looking at expanding it a little bit to the south. We're working with the State to get some additional land there and we'll be able to add about 31 more spots. So, obviously parking in Kona is near and dear to all of us. Council Member Villegas, I think is here on the other side. But, yeah, we're working to improve the parking lot but at the same time this portion, these 14 spaces would also be good for the County. CHR. INABA: Thank you, Director. And just for the public's knowledge, this is for a small piece of property right below the parking lot near Scandinavian Shave Ice and across from Hulihe`e Palace in Kona. So, opening it up to discussion. I'll go over to Kona first. Council Member Villegas, anything there? MS. VILLEGAS: Yes, please. CHR. INABA: Go ahead. Page 2 LAAC-23 March 5, 2024 MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you, Director Pause, for being here and for providing the map that gives everyone clarification as to the exact location of that. Yes, parking in Kona is a hot, hot, hot topic right now. The desire to provide more free parking, especially spaces that can be provided by County I think is very high on the priority list. So, I wanted to thank you for identifying this opportunity and working with the State to get this transitioned. The only County parking lot in Kailua-Kona is the parking lot, the triangular parking lot that people will know is right off of Kuakini Highway, and kind of right behind the Banyan Court and right where Pacific Vibrations was for years and years. So, there is an incredible need for our small businesses there to provide safe and healthy parking opportunities for shoppers as well as staff, everybody. So, thank you for taking this initiative in moving and stepping this forward, and by identifying this small little strip that will add some more parking. And I am hopeful that we can continue to work together potentially identifying more properties in downtown Kona in our village in order to ensure that it remains accessible to community members and visitors alike to enjoy the beauty of this village and to support the livelihoods of our small business owners. So, thank you so much, Mr. Pause. CHR. INABA: Thank you, Council Member Villegas. Deputy Corporation Counsel, did you want to add anything today? Okay. Just here for questions. Council Member Evans, go ahead. MS. EVANS: Yeah, good morning. So, this is the first time I've seen it referenced to Remnant Road Reserve. So, does DLNR have like a whole list of Remnant Road Reserves? I'm just kind of curious how it popped up. I've never seen that terminology used. MR. PAUSE: It's a real good question. And I would honestly tell you that I'm not familiar with it either. It was an opportunity that came along that DLNR approached us and said, "Hey, we've got this property." And I believe they were approached by some of the private owners there to potentially take or purchase, and they came to us, which is a good thing. So, I don't know that there's a list. I think that's a good question, a good item for me to follow up on. MS. EVANS: Yeah, if you would. It'd be curious. Maybe there is a list of other places, maybe even in Hilo. MR. PAUSE: Okay. Thank you. MS. EVANS: Thank you. Appreciate it. I yield. Page 3 LAAC-23 March 5, 2024 CHR. INABA: Any farther discussion? All those in favor of forwarding Resolution 442-24 to Council with a favorable recommendation., please say LIaye." Vote on Res. 442-24: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 442-24 was (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 7. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Members Kdneali'l-Klelnfelder and Lee Loy — 1 Excused: None. ADJOURN- There being no farther business, at 9:08 a.m., Ms. Kimball moved to adjourn MENT: the meeting. Seconded by Ms. Kagiwada and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 7. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Members Kdneall'i-Klelnfelder and Lee Loy — 2. Excused: None. CHR. INABA: This meeting is adjourned at 9:08 a.m. Approved: Z. &q Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair g Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee Hl/tk Page 4